A Disney blooded, crafty, fun-lovin' wife/mom/organizer/planner, etc who is obsessed with all things Disney 🙂 Maria grew up with the Magic Kingdom and has loved watching WDW evolve into what it is today. A firm believer in the Power of Pixie Dust, she is the owner of The Disney Driven Life - A Community for Neurotic Disney People & a d.i.y. crafty blog, Carousel of Projects - create~inspire~share.

**Disclosure – I received these books for review purposes from the Disney Book Group. All opinions are my own.

Story time is always a favorite in this Neurotic Disney home. NDK (Neurotic Disney Kid) is old enough to read, but not too old to still be read to! Books are wonderful on so many levels. We keep them everywhere – even in the car! Disney Books are a great way to keep Disney at home. Disney Book Group was kind enough to send these books for NDK approval – be sure to look for the NDK Review after the description of each book!

Awaiting the release of Walt Disney’s Moana, these fun books from Disney Publishing are sure to help pass the time! They would also make a fabulous holiday present for the Moana fan in your life. NDK shares her thoughts about these latest releases. Be sure to be on the lookout for our thoughts and review of the movie, too!

Moana and the Ocean

Page Count: 40 * Price: $16.99

Ages 3-5

Hardcover

From the publisher:

This beautiful jacketed picture book based on the upcoming Disney Animation Studios’ film, Moana, features an engaging story about Moana’s unique relationship with the Ocean that playfully interacts with stylized artwork.

The NDK Review: Moana and the Ocean is not a story about the movie. This is a story about friendship. The Ocean tells the story of why Moana is so special. This book is great for younger children because it is a very easy to read story. There are only a few words on each page. I think the pictures in the book are very pretty and colorful. Each picture has a story and you could make your own story about Moana from just looking at the pages. I recommend this book for any young Moana fan. I think this book is great to have just for the pictures. It really is that pretty!

Moana Read-Along Storybook & CD

Page Count: 32 * Price: $6.99

Ages: 6-8

Includes CD with character voices and sound effects

The NDK Review: The Moana Read-Along Storybook & CD is based on the movie. This is short version of the movie, but has most of the story. I liked the pictures because they were actually from the movie. The CD was fun to listen to and made it like I was watching the movie. The character voices were the actors from the movie, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson. The sound effects were helpful and add to the experience. If you liked this movie, you will definitely like this book!

The Story of Moana

Page Count: 304 * Price: $10.99

Ages: 8-12

Hardcover * Bonus tattoos

From the publisher:

Inspired by Disney Animation Studios’ latest film, Moana, this middle grade novel features characters and adventures based in the rich culture of the islands of Oceania. It includes original content in the form of mini folk tales interspersed throughout the story of the film. Bonus temporary tattoos included!

The NDK Review: The Story of Moana A Tale of Courage and Adventure is a very detailed version of the movie. I really liked how the details in her hair on the front cover are pictures of Maui, baby Moana and other memories of the story. This is a hardcover book for older readers. It’s a junior novel.

I like how there are little stories telling about Maui and Moana’s ancestors. After a couple chapters, you will get to a short, two page story based on Moana’s ancestors or Maui. This was not part of the movie. I think these short stories are there to help you learn more about the story. I love these details. If you just need to take a break from the story, you can always read one of the short stories!

There really was not anything I did not like about this book. I really liked this whole movie, and this book is based on the movie. The short stories add to what I like. There are no pictures in this book, but that was okay.

The book also includes shiny, copper colored, temporary tattoos. The tattoos are different patterns and characters from the movie. The ocean waves and a few patterns are tattoos that you could put around your arm. Other characters are Maui, Moana and the Kakamora!

The Story of Moana teaches you that you should follow your inner voice and do what your heart says. This is important because sometimes bad things can happen, and if you follow your inner voice, that usually helps you do what is right. If Moana did not follow her inner voice or listen to her Gramma Tala, everything could have gone wrong! (No Spoilers!)

I am in fourth grade and think this book is great for anyone my age and older. It is a “read more than once” story, in my opinion.

Art of Coloring: Moana

Page Count: 118 * Price: $15.99

Ages: 18+

From the publisher:

Relax, and let the creativity flow through you. Whether a skilled artist or an everyday dabbler of drawings and doodles, fans of all ages will enjoy these stunning pen-and-ink illustrations of beautiful landscapes, elaborate patterns, and memorable characters from Disney’s new animated feature Moana. The lovely packaging includes a convenient “lay flat” book block.

The NDK Review: This Moana coloring book is a grown up kind of coloring book. This book includes very detailed images. Pictures are on the front and back of each page, so I do not think you should use markers. This is a perfect rainy day(or snowy day depending where you live) book! You can make the pictures very colorful, which will make anyone happy! This could be a fun activity for a kid and a parent to do together. You do not have to color the characters the way they are from the movie – be creative and have fun! This would be a fun holiday present!

Maria H. (ndm#130)

A Disney blooded, crafty, fun-lovin' wife/mom/organizer/planner, etc who is obsessed with all things Disney :) Maria grew up with the Magic Kingdom and has loved watching WDW evolve into what it is today. A firm believer in the Power of Pixie Dust, she is the owner of The Disney Driven Life - A Community for Neurotic Disney People & a d.i.y. crafty blog, Carousel of Projects - create~inspire~share.